Soupe aux Choux: A Delightfully Quirky French Comedy

Soupe aux Choux (Cabbage Soup), released in 1981, is a beloved French comedy directed by Jean Girault, starring the legendary Louis de Funès alongside Jean Carmet and Jacques Villeret. While its humor might be considered broad and sometimes absurd, the film’s charm lies in its endearing characters and its whimsical exploration of rural life, friendship, and the possibility of extraterrestrial contact.

The story revolves around two elderly farmers, Claude Ratinier, nicknamed “Le Glaude” (De Funès), and Francis Chérasse, known as “Le Bombé” (Carmet). They live a simple, isolated existence in the French countryside, spending their days tending their land and indulging in Le Glaude’s potent cabbage soup. Their quiet routine is disrupted one night when Le Glaude, overcome by flatulence induced by his famous soup, unleashes a resounding burp into the night sky. This peculiar emission attracts the attention of an alien from the planet Oxo (Villeret), who lands his spaceship nearby.

The alien, a curious and childlike being, is drawn to the aroma of the cabbage soup. Le Glaude and Le Bombé, initially wary, quickly befriend the extraterrestrial, whom they nickname “La Denrée” (the commodity). La Denrée possesses incredible abilities, including the power to duplicate objects and restore youth. The trio spends their days sharing soup, playing pranks, and experiencing the joys and anxieties of newfound friendship. Le Glaude even uses La Denrée’s powers to briefly relive his youth with his deceased wife, offering a touch of poignant sentimentality amidst the slapstick comedy.

The film’s humor stems from the clash between the rustic simplicity of Le Glaude and Le Bombé’s lives and the otherworldly presence of La Denrée. De Funès’ signature physical comedy and exaggerated expressions are in full force, providing many laugh-out-loud moments. Carmet delivers a more grounded performance, serving as a perfect foil to De Funès’ manic energy. Villeret’s portrayal of La Denrée is both endearing and comedic, capturing the innocence and curiosity of a being encountering a new world.

While Soupe aux Choux might not be considered high art, it offers a lighthearted and entertaining escape. Its themes of friendship, acceptance, and the appreciation of simple pleasures resonate even today. The film is also a nostalgic glimpse into a vanishing way of life, portraying a rural France characterized by close-knit communities and a slower pace. The cabbage soup itself becomes a symbol of comfort, tradition, and the bonds that connect people, or even humans and aliens, together. Though critics were divided, it became a commercial success and gained a cult following for its unique blend of humor, heart, and sci-fi absurdity, solidifying its place as a classic of French comedy cinema.